Atmanushasan

SR No.: 004018
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Todarmal Pandit
Publisher: Ganeshprasad Varni Digambar Jain Sansthan
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 250
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

Page 13

12
Atmanushasan
All the worldly attachments and the sensual pleasures are just iike mirage; the more one pursues them, the farther away he moves Running after them leads to nothing but exhaustion 'as there is never any satisfaction in the worldly pleasures. They are the fruits of some past good deeds (Shubh karma banbh). In enjoying these fruits one again gets attached to more new deeds (karma). This is a vicious circle without any end. Thus not only the bad deeds (ashubh karma), the good deeds are also responsible for trapping a living being (Jiva) in this vicious circle. .Samyak darshon (the realization of the true self) is just like a sharp knife which can cut this vicious circle and give solace to the human beings. That is why Samyak darshan is said to be the essence of Dharma. 'Without samyak darshan, all other virtues like peacefulness, knowledge, character and meditation are completely useless and are akin to the weight of a stone. They just drag one by their sheer weight. But Samyak darshon turns this stone into a real gem,' (Verse no. 15) "Whether one is enjoying the pleasures of life or, tormenting in agony, one must tread the path of Dharm7. Because if one is happy the Dharma enhances this happiness and if one is unhappy, the Dharma resolves the causes of misery:' (Verse no. 18).
Only a sadhu (monk) can follow the path of Dharma in totality. Who is then a sadhu ? The great Jain saints say that 'the one who is devoid of the desires of the worldly pleasures, is never seen conducting himself in any manner other than that of Dharma, does not possess any object even as small as an atom to the extent that he lives completely nude, is always engaged in acquiring more and more knowledge, keeps searching his own self by constant meditation, only so is a sadhu respected by all in the world. The unblemished and righteous conduct of such a sadhu is most beneficial and rewarding for the mankind.
Acharya Gunbhadra illustrates his views on Dharma by giving a very simple analogy like : Just as a farmer saves ā part of his crop to be used as the seed for the next crop, similarly whatever wealth and happiness one has acquired is due to one's righteous conduct-Dharma in the past, and therefore one must preserve that Dharma which acts as the seed for obtaining